PERCY
I stand at the end of Nico's bed, just watching him. It pains me to think what he's going through in his head. I can't even let myself imagine what it'd be like to go back to Tartarus again.
'Hey.' Bianca says, having come up from behind me, 'how is he?'
'No different.' I say, 'I want to ask Will, but he's out cold. We really put him through it down there; he should have had help.'
'Yeah, we didn't consider losing Annabeth.' Bianca says, 'how is she, by the way?'
'She's okay. She's by the beach with Hazel and Piper. I thought you were with them, actually.' I say, looking to her.
'No, no. Hazel asked me, but I...I just wanted to check on him.' She says looking to Nico. 'Is it bad that this is the first time like I've felt like the older sibling again?'
'It must be weird. Seeing him grow up so suddenly. I mean I saw it happen and it still confuses me sometimes.' I say, 'but no. I don't think that's bad. I think you looked out for him a lot, and I think you had to look after him a lot. For him to suddenly be this self-sufficient, mature guy who has been through what he's been through...that's unfamiliar territory.'
She watches him, making no reply. After a while she speaks up again, 'do you know if there's been any word from Artemis?'
'Not that I know of.' I say, 'do you think you'll go back with them?'
'I don't know.' She says, and I find that I'm surprised.
'How come?'
'I just...I want to be close to Nico.' She says. I take a moment to collect my thoughts before replying, wanting to tread lightly.
'I know it's not my business, but I think you should go with them.' I say. She looks at me, surprised. I know I never made it a secret that I resented the hunters for taking Thalia and Bianca, 'I just mean...you wanted to do it before. You really wanted it. And I know the circumstances are different now, and you've missed out on a lot, but isn't that all the more reason to go?'
'How'd you mean?'
'I mean...You're your own person. Nico's his own too. Wanting to get to know him again doesn't mean living his life.' I say, 'sorry if that sounds mean.'
'No, no. It makes sense.' She says.
'Do you want to go?' I ask, 'if there was nothing else to sway your decision? Would you want to go?'
'Yes.' She says, 'yeah, I would.'
'Then I think you should go.' I say, 'not yet. Maybe not for a while. But eventually.'
'Eventually.' She echoes.
'Obviously this stays between you and me. If Nico knew I had a hand in your decision I think he'd be pretty mad.'
'I don't think he would.' She says, 'I think he'd be grateful.'
'Oh yeah?'
'Yeah. I think he would.'
